Method for automated and orderly processing of luggage in an aircraft

ABSTRACT

A method for automated processing of luggage in an aircraft is provided. The hold of the aircraft includes a device for automated processing of the luggage. The method includes the device for automated processing operating in an autonomous manner to load the luggage into the hold of the aircraft, with each item of luggage being packaged to this end in a packaging wrapper comprising visual markers. The method includes the device for automated processing viewing these visual markers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to French Patent Application No. 1262145, filed Dec. 17, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application pertains to a method for automated processing ofluggage in an aircraft, and to an aircraft hold comprising a device forautomated processing of luggage for implementing this method.

BACKGROUND

In air transport, what are known as “low-cost” airlines provide flightsat very low prices. Thus, in order to be able to generate sufficientprofits, these airlines are constantly seeking to increase the frequencyof flights so as to realize more return journeys in a day. To this end,each step of a return journey is optimized so as to reduce the durationthereof

The present disclosure aims to reduce the duration of a turnaround stepthat starts on arrival of the aircraft at the terminal and ends when theaircraft sets off for the taxiway for the purpose of taking off

This step can be broken down into different phases:

-   Disembarkation and boarding of passengers,-   Cleaning of the aeroplane,-   Loading of passengers' needs: food, drink, etc.,-   Refuelling, etc., and

Unloading and loading of passengers' luggage.

The present disclosure relates more particularly to the loading andunloading of passengers' luggage into and out of the hold.

According to a first known method, the loading and unloading of luggageinto and out of the hold is carried out using containers.

Before the flight, the items of luggage are preloaded manually intocontainers which are then loaded into the hold of the aircraft, andafter the flight the containers are unloaded and then emptied manually,the items of luggage being provided to the passengers piece by piece onconveyors.

This first method, which is entirely manual, does not satisfy passengerswho have to wait a long time in order to check-in their luggage beforethe flight and to collect their luggage after the flight. In addition,manual loading and unloading are arduous and expensive operations.

According to a second known method, the loading and unloading of luggageinto and out of the hold is carried out by way of transfer platforms onwhich the items of luggage are loaded and unloaded in an automatedmanner, as is described in the document WO-2006/040421.

The automated processing of the luggage which is described in saiddocument WO-2006/040421 makes it possible to reduce the duration of theturnaround, but it does not allow continuous processing of the luggage,each transfer platform having to be filled before being sent towards thehold of the aircraft.

Consequently, before departure of the aircraft, the items of luggagecannot be loaded into the hold of the aircraft as the passengers arriveat the boarding gate, and on arrival, the passengers also have to waitfor a certain amount of time before collecting their luggage.

In addition, this second method requires specific items of luggagehaving particular dimensions and rack driving means. From a generalpoint of view, the waiting times for dropping off and collecting theluggage cause the passengers not to have it loaded in the hold.

In addition, the passengers, who are in a hurry to exit the aircraft andcollect their luggage, prefer to load their luggage into the luggagecompartments in the cabin.

However, these luggage compartments located in the cabin are notintended to hold numerous items of luggage, especially since passengerstend to board with increasingly voluminous luggage.

In addition, the loading and unloading of the luggage compartments bysome passengers hampers the boarding and disembarkation of the otherpassengers, thereby extending the duration of these two phases of theturnaround.

In addition, other objects, desirable features and characteristics willbecome apparent from the subsequent summary and detailed description,and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings and this background.

SUMMARY

Thus, the various teachings of the present disclosure aim to remedy thedrawbacks of the prior art relating to the loading and unloading ofluggage into and out of the hold, and consequently to reduce the amountof luggage loaded into the luggage compartments in the cabin byencouraging the passengers to load their luggage into the hold.

With this aim in mind, the present disclosure proposes a method forautomated processing of luggage in an aircraft, making it possible toshorten the passenger boarding and disembarkation phases.

According to the various teachings of the present disclosure, with thehold of the aircraft comprising a device for automated processing of theluggage, the method is characterized in that the device for automatedprocessing operates in an autonomous manner to load the luggage into thehold of the aircraft, each item of luggage being packaged to this end ina packaging wrapper comprising visual markers, and the device forautomated processing comprising to this end means for viewing thesevisual markers.

More specifically, the visual markers allow the device for automatedprocessing to know, via its viewing means, the shapes and externaldimensions of the items of luggage in order to load these items ofluggage into the hold.

Still according to the present disclosure, the items of luggage areloaded into the hold of the aircraft in an order according to the orderin which the passengers board the aircraft. Generally, in order toreduce the passenger boarding time, the items of luggage are loaded intothe hold of the aircraft in the order in which the passengers board theaircraft.

In the method according to the present disclosure, the items of luggageare loaded into the hold of the aircraft in an individualized manner bythe device for automated processing of luggage.

According to the present disclosure, the items of luggage are unloadedin an automated manner from the hold of the aircraft in an orderaccording to the order in which the passengers disembark from theaircraft. In one example, in order to reduce the passengerdisembarkation time, the items of luggage are unloaded from the hold ofthe aircraft in the order in which the passengers disembark from theaircraft.

In the method according to the present disclosure, the items of luggageare unloaded individually from the hold of the aircraft by the devicefor automated processing of luggage.

Still in order to reduce the passenger disembarkation time, the items ofluggage may be unloaded from the hold on a conveyor located outside theaircraft and in the vicinity of the hold.

In order to make it easier to process them, and before being loaded intothe hold of the aircraft, each item of luggage is packaged in apackaging wrapper in the form of a protective film which is used tocompact the item of luggage to be processed.

In order to completely automate the individualized loading and unloadingof the luggage, the items of luggage may be packaged in an automatedmanner by a packaging device.

With the same objective, the items of luggage packaged in their wrappermay be conveyed in an automated manner towards the hold of the aircraft.

In order to make it easier to automate the individualized loading of theitems of luggage, the various items of luggage to be processed haveidentical shapes and volumes.

In order to implement this method for automated processing of luggage inan aircraft, the present disclosure provides a specific packagingwrapper.

In one example, the wrapper is in the form of a protective film and isused to compact the item of luggage, the item of luggage being wrappedin the protective film under reduced pressure.

A person skilled in the art can gather other characteristics andadvantages of the disclosure from the following description of exemplaryembodiments that refers to the attached drawings, wherein the describedexemplary embodiments should not be interpreted in a restrictive sense.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunctionwith the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote likeelements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automated luggage packaging deviceaccording to various embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a partial view of an aircraft hold equipped with an exemplaryembodiment of a device for automated processing;

FIG. 3 is a partial view of an aircraft hold equipped with anotherexemplary embodiment of a device for automated processing;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an automated arm of an exemplaryembodiment of a device for automated processing; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of automated arms of another exemplaryembodiment of a device for automated processing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the present disclosure or the application and usesof the present disclosure. Furthermore, there is no intention to bebound by any theory presented in the preceding background or thefollowing detailed description.

The present disclosure relates to a method for automated processing ofluggage 10 in an aircraft 12, the hold 14 of this aircraft 12 comprisinga device 16 for automated processing of the luggage 10, as illustratedin FIGS. 2 and 3.

According to the various teachings of the present disclosure, theprocessing of the luggage 10 is understood to mean the conveying,grasping and handling of the luggage 10 in order to load it into thehold 14 and to unload it from this hold 14.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, an automated operationis understood to mean an operation carried out by a machine, withoutmanual intervention, that is to say without involving the use of theforce of an operator or technician.

In the method according to various embodiments, the items of luggage 10are loaded into the hold 14 of the aircraft 12 in an automated manner bythe device 16 for automated processing of luggage.

According to the present disclosure, loading is understood to mean theoperation of storing the luggage 10 in an orderly manner in the hold 14.

According to the present disclosure, orderly loading has the objectiveof storing as many items of luggage 10 in the hold 14 as possiblewithout wasting volume.

During the loading operation, use may be made of retaining means such asnets known from the prior art to ensure the stability of the luggage 10as it is being loaded into the hold 14. Advantageously, these retainingmeans also ensure the stability of the loaded luggage 10 during theflight of the aircraft.

Unlike the preloading in containers of the prior art, in the presentdisclosure the items of luggage 10 are loaded individually into the hold14 of the aircraft 12 by the device 16 for automated processing ofluggage.

According to the present disclosure, individually is understood to meanthat the items of luggage 10 are loaded into the hold 14 one by one bythe device 16 for automated processing.

In order to be handled by the device 16 for automated processing, andjust before it is loaded into the hold 14 of the aircraft, each item ofluggage 10 is packaged in a packaging wrapper 18 in the form of aprotective film 20.

In order for the luggage 10 to be handled by the device 16, thispackaging wrapper 18 comprises a grasping surface 22 separate from butsecured to the protective film 20, as shown in FIG. 1.

In one embodiment, the surface 22 is suitable for grasping by way ofreduced pressure. To this end, the surface 22 is smooth. In anotherembodiment, the surface 22 is suitable for magnetic grasping. To thisend, the surface 22 is magnetizable.

In the various embodiments, the grasping surface 22 is carried by a disc24. Thus, in one embodiment, the disc 24 may be produced from a plasticsmaterial, whereas in the other embodiment, the disc 24 may be producedfrom a metal material.

The protective film 20 is made of plastics material, optionallyreinforced by a network of glass fibres. For secure handling, the itemsof luggage 10 are wrapped in the protective film 20 under slightlyreduced pressure. In addition to its function relating to the handlingof an item of luggage 10, this protective film 20 protects the item ofluggage 10 from knocks during its processing.

The protective film 20 also serves as proof that the item of luggage 10has not been tampered with, it being possible to verify the integrity ofthe film 20 visually and rapidly, when it is checked by an employee ofthe terminal or by the passenger after disembarking, in order to ensurethat the item of luggage 10 has not been opened.

The protective film 20 also makes it possible to avoid accidentalopening of the item of luggage 10. The protective film 20 makes itpossible above all to press the handles, straps or any other elementagainst the main body of the item of luggage 10, thereby avoiding anyinconvenience during the handling and conveying of the item of luggage10.

According to another advantage, the wrapper 18 may be used to compacteach item of luggage 10 to be processed. To this end, each item ofluggage 10 is wrapped in the protective film 20 under slightly reducedpressure. This compacting of the items of luggage 10 makes it easier toprocess them, for example by creating approximately planar lower andupper faces, and to load them into the hold 14 without wasting volume.

In order to automate the method for individualized processing, thewrapper 18 may comprise an intelligent label in which differentinformation relating to the packaged item of luggage 10 and useful forthe automated processing of the luggage 10 is stored.

In parallel, the device 16 for automated processing comprises means forreading these intelligent labels. Thus, the device 16 for automatedprocessing may use the information contained in the intelligent labelsto improve the processing of the luggage 10. In one example, theinformation contained in the intelligent label relates to the shape andexternal dimensions of the item of luggage 10. In addition, the device16 for automated processing uses this information to carry out theindividualized loading of the luggage 10 into the hold 14.

By virtue of the acquisition of this information relating to the shapeand external dimensions of each item of luggage 10, the device 16 forautomated processing can arrange the various items of luggage 10 in thehold 14 without wasting volume.

In order to improve the handling carried out by the device 16 forautomated processing, the information contained in the intelligent labelmay relate to: the centre of gravity of the item of luggage 10, itsweight, the type of luggage 10 and the category of the luggage 10:fragility, danger, etc.

For example, knowledge of the position of the centre of gravity of theitem of luggage 10 allows the device 16 for automated processing tohandle the item of luggage 10 without the latter tending to tip, andtherefore without having to oppose a tipping torque.

In order to favour the traceability of the items of luggage 10, theinformation contained in the intelligent label may relate to: theidentity of the passenger who owns the luggage 10 and the identificationof the aircraft 12 in which the luggage 10 is intended to be loaded.

In order to automate the method for individualized processing, thewrapper 18 may comprise visual markers 26. In parallel, the device 16for automated processing comprises means for viewing these visualmarkers 26, such as cameras and suitable means for processing images.The viewing means of the device 16 operate as motion capturing means,the visual markers 26 being the markings that are useful for thiscapturing.

By virtue of the visual markers 26, and with the device 16 for automatedprocessing being aware in a virtual manner of the environment of thehold 14, the device 16 for automated processing can locate virtually anitem of luggage 10 in the hold 14. It is thus not necessary for theitems of luggage 10 to arrive at a precise location and in a preciseorientation in order to be handled by the device 16 for automatedprocessing. The virtual environment of the hold 14 may be acquired bythe device 16 for automated processing in various ways.

In one embodiment, the hold 14 of the aircraft 12 is digitally modelledby an external device, then the virtual environment created in this wayis acquired by the device 16 for automated processing.

In another embodiment, the hold 14 of the aircraft is equipped withvisual targets, which are similar to the visual markers 26 with whichthe wrapper 18 of the items of luggage 10 is equipped, and aredetectable by the viewing means of the device 16 for automatedprocessing in order to digitally model the hold 14.

As an alternative to the intelligent labels, the visual markers 26 allowthe device 16 for automated processing to know, via its viewing means,the shape and external dimensions of the item of luggage 10. By virtueof the visual markers 26, items of luggage 10 having different shapesand different dimensions may be processed by the device 16 for automatedprocessing. In addition, the device 16 for automated processing may usethe information provided by the visual markers 26 to load the items ofluggage 10 into the hold 14, and more particularly to arrange thevarious items of luggage 10 in the hold 14 without wasting volume.

In order to improve the handling carried out by the device 16 forautomated processing, the information provided by the visual markers 26may also make it possible to determine: the centre of gravity of theitem of luggage 10, the type of luggage 10, etc. By virtue of theintelligent labels and/or the visual markers 26 of the wrappers 18 ofthe items of luggage 10 and/or the visual targets with which the hold 14is equipped, the device 16 for automated processing allows autonomous orsemi-autonomous loading of the items of luggage 10, as described indetail below.

In order to completely automate the method for individualized processingaccording to the various teachings of the present disclosure, the itemsof luggage 10 are packaged in an automated manner by a packaging device28, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 1.

This packaging device 28, which is for example provided in the loadingbays of a terminal in the vicinity of each loading bridge, comprises aninput conveyor 30 on which the items of luggage 10 to be packaged areplaced, a device 32 for automatically packaging each item of luggage 10in a protective wrapper 18, and an output conveyor 34 on which thepackaged items of luggage 10 travel.

In one example, the automated packaging of the items of luggage 10 takesplace just before the passengers board. Advantageously, the packagingdevice 28 implements the compacting of the items of luggage 10.

To this end, provision may be made of an upper plate and a lower platewhich squash the item of luggage 10 during the packaging thereof, thesquashing being controlled such that the degree of squashing approachesa pressure corresponding to that which can be applied to an item ofluggage when the item of luggage is positioned under other items ofluggage.

In order to facilitate the automated packaging of the items of luggage10 and to favour optimal filling of the hold 14 by the device 16 forautomated processing, the various items of luggage 10 to be processedideally have substantially identical shapes, for exampleparallelepipedal shapes, and volumes, these being for example imposed bythe airline by way of a company premium policy. As a variant,prepackaged items of luggage 10 incorporating the protective wrapper 18with the grasping surface 22 may be provided and, for example, sold tothe passengers by the airline.

In order to completely automate the method for individualizedprocessing, the items of luggage 10 packaged in their wrapper 18 may beconveyed in an automated manner towards the hold 14 of the aircraft 12.For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the output conveyor 34 of thepackaging device 28 can transport the packaged items of luggage 10 asfar as the entrance of the hold 14 of the aircraft.

In the method for automated and individualized processing according tothe various teachings of the present disclosure, the items of luggage 10are also unloaded in an automated manner from the hold 14 of theaircraft 12 by the device 16 for automated processing of luggage.

As in the case of loading, the items of luggage 10 are unloadedindividually from the hold 14 of the aircraft 12 by the device 16 forautomated processing of luggage.

According to the present disclosure, unloading is understood to be theoperation in which each item of luggage 10 of the set 36 of items ofluggage 10 stored in an orderly manner in the hold 14 is separated.

By virtue of the intelligent labels and/or the visual markers 26 of thewrappers 18 of the items of luggage 10 and/or the visual targets withwhich the hold 14 is equipped, the device 16 for automated processingaffords autonomous or semi-autonomous unloading of the items of luggage10, as explained in detail below.

Advantageously, the items of luggage 10 are unloaded from the hold 14 ona conveyor 38 located outside the aircraft 12 and in the vicinity of thehold 14. This conveyor 38 makes the items of luggage 10 available to thepassengers, who can thus collect their luggage 10 directly ondisembarking from the aircraft 12.

According to the present disclosure, the items of luggage 10 are loadedinto the hold 14 of the aircraft 12 in an order according to the orderin which the passengers board the aircraft. In one example, in order tomake the passenger boarding phase more fluid, the items of luggage 10are loaded into the hold 14 of the aircraft 12 in the order in which thepassengers board the aircraft. The arrival of the items of luggage 10 inthe hold 14 of the aircraft 12 in the same order as the passengers isfavoured by the presence of the packaging device 28 in the loading bayin the vicinity of the loading bridge.

Specifically, the items of luggage 10 are placed by the passengers onthe input conveyor 30 of the packaging device 28 as they board, thenthese items of luggage 10 are packaged and conveyed automaticallytowards the hold 14 of the aircraft in the order in which the passengersboard.

Similarly, according to the present disclosure, the items of luggage 10are unloaded from the hold 14 of the aircraft 12 in an order accordingto the order in which the passengers disembark from the aircraft. In oneexample, in order to make the passenger disembarkation phase more fluid,the items of luggage 10 are unloaded from the hold 14 of the aircraft 12in the order in which the passengers disembark from the aircraft.

Thus, in the case in which the passengers disembark in the reverse orderto the order in which they boarded, the items of luggage 10 are loadedinto the hold 14 of the aircraft in the order in which the passengersboard, and they may be unloaded in the order in which the passengersdisembark.

In an optimized variant of the method for individualized processingaccording to the present disclosure, the device 16 for automatedprocessing operates in an autonomous manner. According to the presentdisclosure, autonomous operation is understood to mean operation withoutany human intervention.

The device 16 for automated processing operates in an autonomous mannerat least in order to load the luggage 10 into the hold 14 of theaircraft 12. Such autonomous loading is made possible by the visualmarkers 26 present on the items of luggage 10 and by the viewing meansof the device 16 for automated processing, and optionally by theintelligent labels with which the items of luggage 10 are equipped andby the means for reading these labels with which the device 16 isprovided. Of course, the device 16 for processing is programmed in orderto implement such an autonomous loading operation.

In this autonomous operating mode, the device 16 for processing iscapable of viewing, locating, identifying, grasping and handling on itsown and automatically the items of luggage 10 arriving in the hold 14 ofthe aircraft 12.

For example, in order to identify each item of luggage 10, the device 16for processing assigns a different index to each item of luggage 10.

Advantageously, by virtue of the viewing of the shapes and dimensions ofthe various items of luggage 10, of the virtual knowledge of theenvironment of the hold 14 of the aircraft, and of an appropriateprogram, the device 16 for automated processing is capable of arrangingvarious items of luggage 10 in the hold 14 without wasting volume.

The device 16 for automated processing may also operate in an autonomousmanner in order to unload the luggage 10 from the hold 14 of theaircraft 12.

In addition, the operation of the various conveyors 30, 34, 38 and/or ofthe packaging device 28 may also be easily rendered autonomous with theaid of different sensors and appropriate programs. In a less optimizedvariant of the method for individualized processing according to thepresent disclosure, the operation of the device 16 for automatedprocessing is semi-autonomous. According to the present disclosure,semi-autonomous is understood to mean operation that is partiallycontrolled by an operator.

In one example, the operation of the device 16 for automated processingis remote-controlled by an operator. To this end, the operator may befully immersed in the hold 14 from his office by way of a touch screenor a head-mounted display. This remote-control station for the device 16may be located at the entrance to the hold 14, in the cabin of theaircraft 12, or even in the terminal

In order to implement this semi-autonomous operation, provision may bemade of immersive means which allow the operator to be transposedvirtually into the hold 14 of the aircraft, the virtual environment ofthe hold 14 having been acquired beforehand by the device 16 forautomated processing.

Advantageously, remote work by the operator is assisted and facilitatedby the visual markers 26 present on the items of luggage 10 and by theviewing means of the device 16 for automated processing, and optionallyby the intelligent labels with which the items of luggage 10 areequipped and by the means for reading these labels with which the device16 is provided.

Specifically, as in the autonomous operating mode, the device 16 forprocessing is capable of viewing, locating and identifying on its ownand automatically the items of luggage 10 arriving in the hold 14 of theaircraft 12.

Subsequently, all that the operator has to do is to guide the device 16for automated processing, via the touch screen or the immersive means,in order to effect the grasping and handling of the items of luggage 10in order to arrange various items of luggage 10 in the hold 14 withoutwasting volume.

For example, in the case of semi-autonomous loading of the luggage, therole of the operator is to select, via the touch screen, one of theitems of luggage 10 identified by an index, and to indicate to thedevice 16 for automated processing, still via the touch screen, wherethe selected item of luggage 10 should be deposited in the hold 14, thedevice 16 being programmed to effect on its own the grasping andhandling of the item of luggage 10 as far as the location indicated bythe operator, this sequence being repeated by the operator for each itemof luggage 10 to be loaded.

Alternatively, in a more automated procedure, all that the operator hasto do is to select the items of luggage 10 one after the other, thedevice 16 being programmed to find on its own the most appropriatelocation for depositing each selected item of luggage 10 in the hold 14,and to effect on its own the grasping and handling of the selected itemof luggage 10 as far as the most appropriate location.

The device 16 for automated processing may operate in a semi-autonomousmanner in order to load the luggage 10 into the hold 14 of the aircraft12 and to unload the luggage 10 from the hold 14 of the aircraft 12.

Since the operation of the various conveyors 30, 34, 38 and that of thepackaging device 28 are linked to that of the device 16 for automatedprocessing, these operations are also semi-autonomous.

The present disclosure also provides a design of an aircraft 12 hold 14for implementing the method for automated and individualized processingwhich has just been described.

As indicated above, the hold 14 allowing this implementation of themethod comprises a device 16 for automated processing of luggage 10.This device 16 for automated processing of luggage 10 is installed onboard since it is always present in the hold 14 of the aircraft.

In the present description, the longitudinal axis L14 of the hold is anapproximately horizontal axis parallel to the aeroplane axis extendingfrom the front to the rear of the aircraft, and the transverse axis T14of the hold 14 is an approximately horizontal axis perpendicular to thisaeroplane axis.

In one exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, this device 16for automated processing comprises a single automated arm 40 forhandling the luggage 10, this automated arm 40 being mounted so as to beable to move in translation T1 parallel to the longitudinal axis L14 ofthe hold 14 of the aircraft 12. Advantageously, the automated arm 40 maymove in translation along the entire length LG14 of the hold 14.

In order to handle the items of luggage 10, this automated arm 40comprises a head 42 for grasping an item of luggage 10. In oneembodiment of the automated arm 40, the grasping head 42 functions withreduced pressure. To this end, this grasping head 42 is for example inthe form of a suction cup. In another embodiment of the automated arm40, the grasping head 42 operates by magnetism. To this end, thisgrasping head 42 comprises for example an electromagnet.

In order to facilitate the grasping of each item of luggage 10 by thegrasping head 42, the grasping surface 22 of the wrapper 18 has adiameter greater than the diameter of the grasping head 42, in the firstor in the second variant of the automated arm 40.

In one embodiment, the automated arm 40 is also mounted so as to be ableto move in translation T2 substantially parallel to the transverse axisT14 of the hold 14 of the aircraft. In addition, the automated arm 40affords first mobility in rotation R1 about a first axis A1 parallel tothe transverse axis T14 of the hold 14 of the aircraft 12, and secondmobility in rotation R2 about a second axis A2 perpendicular to thefirst axis A1.

In order to obtain such mobilities of the arm 40, provision is made oftwo longitudinal members 44-1, 44-2 fixed on either side of the hold 14parallel to the longitudinal axis L14 of the latter, and also twotransverse members 46-1, 46-2 that slide substantially perpendicularlyto the longitudinal axis L14 on these two longitudinal members 44-1,44-2.

In addition, the arm 40 comprises a body 48 that is mounted in arotational manner on a mounting plate 50 that is mounted in a pivotingmanner on a slide 52 that moves in translation on the transverse members46-1, 46-2. The rotation R2 of the body 48 with respect to the mountingplate 50 and the translational movement T2 of the slide 52 with respectto the transverse members 46-1, 46-2 may be driven by motors, while therotation R1 of the mounting plate 50 with respect to the slide 52 may bedriven by an actuator 54.

By virtue of its various mobilities, the arm 40 may move in the entirevolume V14 of the hold 14. Advantageously, the various mobilities of theautomated arm 40 may be used simultaneously.

In one exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the device 16for automated processing comprises two automated arms 40-1, 40-2 forhandling luggage 10, these automated arms 40-1, 40-2 being mounted so asto be able to move in translation T3 substantially parallel to oneanother and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L14 of thehold 14 of the aircraft 12.

Advantageously, the automated arms 40-1, 40-2 may move in translationalong the entire length LG14 of the hold 14. In order to handle theitems of luggage 10, each of these automated arms 40-1, 40-2 comprises ahead 42 for grasping an item of luggage 10. In one embodiment of theautomated arms 40-1, 40-2, the grasping head 42 operates with reducedpressure. To this end, this grasping head 42 is for example in the formof a suction cup. In another embodiment of the automated arms 40-1,40-2, the grasping head 42 operates by magnetism. To this end, thisgrasping head 42 comprises for example an electromagnet.

In order to facilitate the grasping of each item of luggage 10 by thegrasping head 42, the grasping surface 22 of the wrapper 18 has adiameter greater than the diameter of the grasping head 42, in the firstor the second embodiment of the automated arms 40-1, 40-2.

In this exemplary embodiment, each automated arm 40-1, 40-2 also affordsfirst mobility in rotation R3 about a first axis A3 parallel to thetransverse axis T14 of the hold of the aircraft 12, and second mobilityin rotation R4 about a second axis A4 perpendicular to the first axisA3.

In order to obtain such mobilities, provision is made, for eachautomated arm 40-1, 40-2, of two longitudinal members 56-1, 56-2 and58-1, 58-2 which are fixed parallel to the longitudinal axis L14 of thehold 14, each automated arm 40-1, 40-2 sliding substantially parallel tothe longitudinal axis L14 on these two longitudinal members 56-1, 56-2and 58-1, 58-2.

In addition, each automated arm 40-1, 40-2 comprises a body 60 that ismounted in a rotational manner on a mounting plate 62 that is mounted ina pivoting manner on a slide 64 that moves in translation on thelongitudinal members 56-1, 56-2 and 58-1, 58-2. The rotation R4 of thebody 60 with respect to the mounting plate 62 and the translationalmovement T3 of the slide 64 with respect to the longitudinal members56-1, 56-2 and 58-1, 58-2 may be driven by motors, while the rotation R3of the mounting plate 62 with respect to the slide 64 may be driven byan actuator.

By virtue of their various mobilities, the arms 40-1, 40-2 cover theentire volume V14 of the hold 14. Advantageously, the two arms 40-1,40-2 operate independently, and the various mobilities of each of thearms 40-1, 40-2 can be used simultaneously. In a semi-autonomousoperating mode, the arms 40-1, 40-2 are in one example,remote-controlled by different operators.

In the exemplary embodiments of the device 16 for automated processing,each automated arm 40, 40-1, 40-2 comprises a body 48, 60 having anextendable length L48, L60. To this end, a body 48, 60 has a telescopicdesign, having three strands for example.

Still in the exemplary embodiments of the device 16 for automatedprocessing, with the grasping head 42 being mounted at the lower end 66,68 of the body 48, 60, the grasping head 42 is mounted at this lower end66, 68 by way of a pivot 70, in one example, with springback.

Still in the exemplary embodiments of the device 16 for automatedprocessing, provision may be made for the floor 72 of the hold 14 of theaircraft 12 to comprise a luggage conveyor 74 disposed substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis L14 of the hold 14 of the aircraft.

In one example, this conveyor 74 extends as far as close to the bottom76 of the hold 14, it thus being possible for the arm or arms 40, 40-1,40-2 to work without moving in longitudinal translation T1, T3 in thebottom 76 of the hold 14 at the beginning of loading or at the end ofunloading. This complementary conveyor 74, which is useful both duringloading and during unloading of the luggage 10, creates a transitionzone in which the items of luggage 10 may be temporarily stored.

By making it possible to limit the number and amplitude of longitudinaltranslational movements T1, T3 of the automated arms 40, 40-1, 40-2 inthe length of the hold 14, this conveyor 74 makes it possible toaccelerate the processing of the luggage 10, both during the loading andduring the unloading thereof

During loading in autonomous or semi-autonomous operation, the items ofluggage 10 are conveyed by the conveyor 74 towards the bottom 76 of thehold 14, where they are grasped and then stacked by the automated arm orarms 40, 40-1, 40-2 waiting at the bottom 76 of the hold 14.

At the start of a loading operation, the items of luggage 10 are stackedby the automated arm or arms 40, 40-1, 40-2 against the transverse wall78 of the bottom 76 of the hold 14 and are superposed over the entireheight of the hold 14 until they form a row taking up the availablespace to the greatest possible extent.

Next, during loading, the automated arm or arms 40, 40-1, 40-2 moveprogressively in longitudinal translational movement T1, T3 towards theentrance 80 of the hold 14 so as to form rows of luggage 10, one afterthe other.

Once loading has been carried out, and thus during the flight of theaircraft 12, the automated arm or arms 40, 40-1, 40-2 remain storedclose to the entrance 80 of the hold 14.

In addition, once the flight has been completed, unloading in autonomousor semi-autonomous operation takes place in the opposite way to loading:the rows of luggage 10 being destacked one after the other by theautomated arm or arms 40, 40-1, 40-2, from the entrance 80 towards thebottom 76 of the hold 14 and by way of the conveyor 74.

By virtue of the present disclosure, passengers will have less interestin keeping their luggage in the cabin, and thus the volumes of luggagecompartments may be reduced in order to provide greater comfort to thepassengers.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in theforegoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vastnumber of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that theexemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and arenot intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of thepresent disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detaileddescription will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient roadmap for implementing an exemplary embodiment, it being understood thatvarious changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elementsdescribed in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and theirlegal equivalents.

1. A method for automated processing of luggage in an aircraft, the holdof the aircraft comprising a device for automated processing of theluggage, the method comprising the steps of: providing each item ofluggage in a packaging wrapper comprising visual markers; loading theitems of luggage in an automated manner into the hold of the aircraft bythe device, the device operating in an autonomous manner to load theitems of luggage into the hold of the aircraft, and viewing the visualmarkers with a viewing means of the device.
 2. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the visual markers allow the device to know, via itsviewing means, the shapes and external dimensions of the items ofluggage in order to load the items of luggage into the hold.
 3. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the items of luggage are loadedinto the hold of the aircraft in an order according to the order inwhich the passengers board the aircraft.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the items of luggage are loadedindividually into the hold of the aircraft by the device.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the device operates in an autonomousmanner to unload the items of luggage from the hold of the aircraft. 7.The method according to claim 6, wherein the items of luggage areunloaded in an automated manner from the hold of the aircraft in anorder according to the order in which the passengers disembark from theaircraft.
 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the items ofluggage are unloaded from the hold of the aircraft in the order in whichthe passengers disembark from the aircraft.
 9. The method according toclaim 6, wherein the items of luggage are unloaded individually from thehold of the aircraft by the device.
 10. The method according to claim 6,wherein the items of luggage are unloaded from the hold on a conveyorlocated outside the aircraft and in the vicinity of the hold.
 11. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising: before being loadedinto the hold of the aircraft, packaging each item of luggage in apackaging wrapper in the form of a protective film which is used tocompact the item of luggage to be processed.
 12. The method according toclaim 11, wherein the items of luggage are packaged in an automatedmanner by a packaging device.
 13. The method according to claim 11,further comprising: conveying the items of luggage each packaged in thepackaging wrapper in an automated manner towards the hold of theaircraft.
 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the items ofluggage have identical shapes and volumes.
 15. A wrapper for packagingan item of luggage for the automated processing of said item of luggage,the wrapper comprising: a protective film, wherein the wrapper is usedto compact the item of luggage, and the item of luggage is wrapped inthe protective film under a reduced pressure.